Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Schools is comprised of a non-profit network of public charter schools designed to significantly increase high school graduation rates, college entrance, and college graduation rates for underserved students in North-East Los Angeles, and the North-East San Fernando Valley.
Our mission at PUC Schools is to develop and manage high-quality charter schools in densely populated urban communities with overcrowded and low-achieving schools. We create school programs and cultures that promote college graduation for all students. We uplift and revitalize communities through the success of our students and through inspiring them to uplift our communities now and forever and through the development of educational and other supportive partnerships.
The Team Member we are searching for
The ideal Interim MFT Associate believes in and is passionate about the mission and commitments of PUC Schools and exhibits this through their leadership, reflection, execution of school culture, and collaboration to ensure student success. The Interim MFT Associate provides direct clinical services in the form of individual, family, and group therapy to the students and families of PUC schools.
What you will need to accomplish:
Clinical Evaluations for Clients on Caseload:
Identify unit of treatment, presenting problems, and patterns of behavior
Gather adequate client history information, and assess clinical issues based on client history and presenting problems
Routinely assess relevant clinical issues, client strengths, and coping skills
Mutually set appropriate goals for clients
Routinely assess for possible substance use
Gather adjunctive resource information and use DSM criteria to determine diagnoses
Crisis Management:
Identify the nature of the crisis to determine the immediate action needed
Routinely observe and assess for indications of abuse, danger to self or others
Develop/implement a plan (with the assistance of the supervisor) to reduce the potential for danger
Manage reporting requirements appropriately
Follow the policies and procedures of the agency
Manage workload
Treatment Planning:
Demonstrate awareness of principles of systems theory & an understanding of a variety of theoretical models and/or specialties (art therapy, etc.)
Identify stages of treatment and appropriate short-term and long-term treatment goals, objectives and plan for each stage, and formulate how to reach goals
Recognize the need for referral for adjunctive services and identify appropriate referrals
Provide appropriate treatment to clients
Legal Responsibilities:
Knowledge of and use of appropriate laws and codes to guide practice and make decisions
Inform clients of parameters of confidentiality and privilege, their limitations, and conditions of mandated reporting
Demonstrate knowledge of legal issues relevant to this counseling setting
Adhere to legal statutes related to this counseling setting
Recognize and appropriately manage mandated reporting requirements
Obtain the client’s (or legal guardian’s) authorization for release to disclose or obtain confidential information
Maintain the security of client therapy records
Ethical Responsibilities:
Knowledge of and use of appropriate ethical codes to guide practice and make decisions
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues arising in this counseling setting
Maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries
Identify personal reactions/countertransference issues that could interfere with the therapeutic process
Identify personal limitations that require outside consultation
Utilizing Supervision:
Seek supervision when needed, come prepared for supervision sessions, openly share concerns and ideas with the supervisor
Demonstrate openness to feedback, and use supervisory suggestions to make improvements
Seek supervision when faced with legal or ethical dilemmas in practice
Evaluate his/her performance including transference and countertransference
Raise questions, report problems
Recognize issues outside competence areas and consult and seek supervision when appropriate (outside of regularly scheduled supervision meetings)
Keep appropriate case notes & files are up to date
Maintain timely and orderly paperwork
Termination of Clients when Appropriate:
Demonstrate ability to terminate appropriately
Develop a plan for termination with the client to provide a transition from treatment
Establish rapport and show respect for clients, colleagues, and staff in professional contexts and maintain professional relationships
Demonstrate good listening skills, communication, and coping with anxiety-producing situations
Utilize theoretically appropriate and client-specific clinical interventions
Modify the treatment process by monitoring therapeutic progress
Identify the issues of diversity that impact the therapeutic environment
Demonstrate awareness of own identity and biases and recognize the impact of own gender, culture, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, SES, ability, and beliefs on the therapeutic process
Apply treatment consistent with the client’s values and beliefs
Perform other duties as assigned
What do we require from you?
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in MFT/School Counseling, related field, or equivalent training and experience required
Previous experience focusing on other school needs (i.e. Attendance/SARB, Parent Engagement, SEL, Peer Mentorship/Leadership, College Counseling Support, Substance Abuse, etc.
Experience having specific roles in Professional Development Trainings or classroom presentations
Skills and Abilities
Proficient with Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
Alignment with core characteristics required of every PUC employee: pursuit of excellence, innovation, community, tenacity, and authenticity
Able to maintain a working relationship with clients
Must be flexible and team-oriented
Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Bilingual in Spanish preferred
Regular attendance, dependability, and punctuality in conformance with the standards are essential to the successful performance of this position
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Occasionally required to kneel, climb, and reach with hands and arms above shoulder level, lift up to 30 pounds. To bend, sit, stand, squat, stoop, walk, push, pull, and reach with hands and arms at shoulder level or below. Always required to wear the appropriate safety equipment for the task, which may include gloves, goggles, aprons, belts, etc.
Compensation & Benefits:
This is a full-time exempt, salaried position
This is an interim position, and the duration of the position will vary
Our benefits include:
Comprehensive group health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision and additional voluntary benefits
403b Retirement Plan with an annual contribution match
Paid Time Off
Ongoing Professional Development
DISCLAIMER: This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Institution and its employees.
PUC Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.